Under countless pairs of nearly lifeless gaze, the mist lingering atop the square gradually scattered, revealing a battlefield in shambles, littered with debris, and drew waves of exhalations sharply from the spectators on the terrace. At this hour, the once firm plaza of neat, sturdy stones had been altogether metamorphosed into sheer ruin, wherein in the center laid a tremendous pit. The surrounding rim presented jagged stones rising defiantly, in a form entirely unlike the plaza it had once appeared—none had envisioned the mutual clashing blows of Xiao Yan and the trio could generate devastation such scale.
“What a monster this guy is!” Xiao Yu gaped in utter amazement at the ruins of battlefield and only after a while found breath to say with an exasperated chuckle. Although she held high evaluation upon her younger cousin, whose independent spirit had been evident from young age, still she had failed to foresee him gaining prowess sufficient for evoking her trepidation within merely two years absent of meeting.
Next beside stood Miss Ruolin, nodded in agreement, secretly murmurring thoughts on precisely how the young man had trained across these two years. She recalled when back at Utarn’s City, Xiao Yan, though possessing undeniable talent, could barely manage to last twenty encounters within her own hands. Now, though, were she to engage him personally in fight, she felt victory uncertain indeed.
Amidst the innumerable, converged gazes upon the ruined field, a faint, azure silhouette darted suddenly atop a stone pinnacle. Surveying briefly around the battlefield of desolation, its gaze ultimately rested at last in the vast crater itself, where still faintly stirred vestiges of three weak breaths. Dust from the crater’s rising clouds too was slowly descending—its interior at last unveiled entirely beneath mass scrutiny.
At the center of the crater sprawled an open field of relative evenness. No broken masonry remained scattered here. What blanketed the ground was only a coating of thick stone dust indeed—the explosive collision of two parties’ energy had reduced everything solid to powdery residue by this point. So could one fathomed the colossal might displayed during those combat-arts these four wielded!
On this ground lay amidst dusted debris three figures leaning limply against stone walls to steady their wavering postures. Bai Shan and his companions had now turned entirely a mess—soot veiled their faces; rips adorned every cloth. Faces pallid, lips bore tints of blood, breath rapid yet lost its prior steadiness. Indeed, the shock wave unleashed by Xiao Yan’s “Arahanat Agnihotra Bhumispada,” an incendiary ability feared even by斗灵 masters, had inflicted grievous wounds in Bai Shan and the other two.
Stares of doubt blanketed the three battered figures. How could three prominent talents who’d soared so high in their outer academy within the迦难 Institute have been cast astray in thus condition—by none but a newly arrived youth present fewer than three days?
“Where’s Xiao Yan now?” Bai Shan rasped hoarsely wiping crimson trickles from his lip. He cast a sweeping gaze around his hazy realm. His ashen cheeks reddened with fury, crying mockingly with strained voice: “I supposed him entangled helplessly in ruins following that blast—recklessly taking on three alone indeed brought quite the downfall.” Nearby, though, both Hu Jial and Wu Hao ignored his jeers entirely, swallowing dry with parched mouths; moments later, Hu Jial spoke with grited teeth:
“Damn that bastard! Should we had known earlier, better never listen in to your schemes! Xiao Yan’s one no mere person dare provoke!”
“He is indeed strong. Much indeed stronger than either of us.”
Wu Hao raised up, robes torn in many sections exposing his excessively pale-yet-youthful visage. He by no mean counted handsom, perhaps indeed even considered plain. Yet from the occasionally glimpsed chills traversing his eyes, a piercing cold brutality often stirred unease in those gazed directly; now though, a gaze typically harbored latent murder lust had flickered at rare solemnity and prudence.
“No matter how strong,” Bai Shan’s brows furrowed irately to both others’ praising tongues, coldly snorting out. “Even could he barely live through our three’s unified strike, at best still limbs broken, perhaps legs crippled—nothing left remaining, in short!”
Hardly finished Bai Shan’s utter scoff had he spoken—suddenly, the edge of crater exploded loudly. The entire audience’s concentrated stare, even Bai Shan’s three gaping gapes filled of gasping breath, shifted instantly. Dust drifted softly where the stone shattered.
“He didn’t die! I can trace his breath lingering!” Eyes transfixed upon the swirling motes, Wu Hao muttered slowly with deep drawn inhalation.
At his side though, Bai Shan’s countenance spasmodically contorted—wan complexion even palliding in hues still. Surely enough—here, one of those hailed outer-academy elites of迦难, amidst previous epic, breath-stopping duel, was quietly beginning his own inner apprehension against that black robed prodigy—one he himself would never dare affirm.
Upon the mass-stared crater emerged now faint crunches under feet stepping upon rock fragments amidst the dusty fog—for barely an earshot later, Bai Shan, Hu Jial, and Wu Hao’s complexions collectively altered.
Footbeats grew loud approaching—motionless Bai Shan eyed unblinkingly into dust clouds, and within the blink of eye, sighted abruptly a black garbed youth walking forth in same tidy uniform as before engaging—entirely unblemished, entire crowd staring in hush!
That jet robe—looking freshly laundered. Youthful visage—serenely undisturbed, expression as indifferent at first entering. Indeed—what difference could not possibly compare with Bai Shan and companions, all muddying their state between dust of ruin! Thus contrast vividly declared this youth the unequivocal victorious! No doubt remained: amidst this intense brawl remaining unscathed and poised like before, none would presume Xiao Yan insufficient capability contest for the final crown of tournament supremacy. Through this arduous engagement, the selection’s strongest now stood plainly apparent.
“Shìjiě truly transformed stronger—before unleashing that terrifying fiery explosion nearly reached zenith proficiency at玄阶斗气 techniques.” Observing the gradually emerging shadow, Xun’er standing atop her perch with gentle smile murmurs joyfully.
On her delicate face bloomed tender fondness blended with subtle pride—no mind did she bear seeking applause from masses. Were Shìjiě the one revealing such astonishing talents to astonished gathering—aspired heartily her happiness regardless.
Unrushing steps tread out steadily from swirling dust; even now unshaken, Xiao Yan’s face remained cool—casually scanning over them briefly before—suddenly an explosive ferousness surged forth from dark eyes within blink!
His figure darted—flames of black surged—mere breath span transpired—he now stood before them in whistling gales with palpable force—three’s breath seized momentarily, choked within his shadow.
“Xiao Yan, wherefore thus advance?! We’ve already—!” Before another breath Bai Shan could manage,眼前忽幻化一道 blurred phantom—a chilling glare piercing the eyes revealing raw violence in those ebony pupils, his yell still ringing—sharp jolt suddenly struck Bai Shan’s midsection.
An invisible force propelled his torso back sliding forcefully against hard wall surface until bones cracking echoed quietly in collision impact.
“Xiao Yan!!”
That abrupt unprovoked assault shook Hu Jial and Wu Hao’s disbelief momentarily, before hurried reflexively pulling backwards crying “You DARE!”
“Failing a repayment priorly exacted lightly can suffice!?”
While back-sliding, Hu Jial barely found breath as shadow slinked ghostwise to chase close. Calm, detached words rang:
“Xiao Yan, HOW DARE YOU!!”
The indifferent response chills Hu Jial’s inner core, voice rising sharper into shriek. Born into noble line, she had never genuinely suffered insults, injuries borne thus harshly? Unmoved countenance—Xiao Yan made deaf to her protestations—right calf snapped around suddenly amid dumbfounded spectators’ gaze—violent pressure roiling in sound like muted explosion.
Simultaneous a thud! Flying body trails dust marking arc along ground until abrupt crash upon rock; fresh, vivid blood burst from lips.
Wu Haot, rather than shriek fear or flee like the two preceding, bit down, grit hard—body surged last of crimson斗气 onto form—increased pace but still—heavy injured! While flailing Hu Jial away merely heartbeated past, shadow materialized ghostlike in ambush behind! Unwavering voice murmured callously into ears with savage impact—
“For my revenge owed Xun’er—you who protest, confront me boldly—I shall grant honor as one truly formidable.”
Wu Hoato’s form halted violently backwards. Force struck spine launched his collapsing figure rolling along the field; rolling through countless yards before halting painfully. Rising slowly; wiping a trail of blood, bloodless and trembling mouth facing now motionless black shadow still surveying silently with indifferent eyes—it spit out blood-tinted spit.
Tracing lingering gaze over tall slender form before, lean—yet unbreakable in posture, a whisper broke from wounded lips eventually.
“…Respect!!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage